Mayor Annise Parker said Monday she will not attempt to revive the controversial equal rights ordinance that voters resoundingly rejected this month.

Speculation had abounded since Parker, in the days after the sweeping defeat, said the City Council might revisit the ordinance before she leaves office at the end of the year. Though she was limited by time and the fact that several City Council members are in the midst of tight runoff races, opponents seized on that statement. They began making calls warning residents that the law could return.

In a written statement, Parker said, "Considering all the other issues I still want to get finished, I do not see a way that we will be able to revisit the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance before I leave office at the end of the year."

The non-discrimination law that the council approved last year offered protections for 15 classes, including gay and transgender residents, the flashpoint for opponents of the law.

Businesses that serve the public, private employers, housing and city contracting faced up to $5,000 in fines for violations. Religious institutions were exempt.

After more than a year of legal wrangling, the law went to voters, who rejected it 61 percent to 39 percent.

Now, Parker's statement officially kicks the ordinance to the next mayor. The two candidates in the runoff, former Kemah Mayor Bill King and state Rep. Sylvester Turner, differ on the issue.

Turner has said he supports the law, while King said he opposed it as written.

Jared Woodfill, spokesman for opponents, said the group still plans to start running an ad on network and cable TV today that warns the law could be revived.

"We believe electing individuals who are opposed to the Bathroom Ordinance will prevent it from being resurrected by a future council," Woodfill said.